OEConnection to support Volkswagen’s collision programs

March 27, 2012—OEConnection, a parts e-commerce technology for OEM distribution networks, on Tuesday announced it partnered with Volkswagen of America Inc. to support Volkswagen’s ongoing collision programs.

Under the agreement, OEConnection said it will conduct field visits to thousands of collision repair facilities and hundreds of Volkswagen dealers throughout the country to promote the VW Genuine Advantage Parts Program.

OEConnection’s field consultants will educate and train Volkswagen dealers and their wholesale body shop accounts on CollisionLink, the online parts ordering and fulfillment solution from OEConnection. Volkswagen selected CollisionLink in 2010 to automate its discount parts program, and help dealers compete with aftermarket parts suppliers.

“We are pleased and honored to work with Volkswagen to provide face-to-face consulting and support services that have a proven track record of helping automakers achieve network-wide parts and branding goals while supporting the relationship and mutual interests of dealers and their collision shop customers,” said Chuck Rotuno, president and CEO of OEConnection. “OEConnection has long been recognized as a technology leader, yet Volkswagen understands that what sets us apart is our in-depth knowledge of the industry and our highly-trained services organization. We look forward to exceeding their expectations."

The multi-year consulting agreement follows successful collision initiatives in 2011 that led to a marked increase in incremental sales of Genuine VW collision parts, according to OEConnection.

“OEConnection has become a valuable, strategic partner of Volkswagen,” said Dan DuCharme, genuine parts product manager for Volkswagen of America, based in Herndon, Va. “We welcome the opportunity to leverage their technology and marketplace expertise to help grow our collision parts programs, each of which is designed to support our overall commitment to quality and customer support. More important than the benefits that these initiatives provide to VW dealers and collision repairers is what’s at stake for Volkswagen vehicle owners: the assurance that their cars will be repaired according to VW’s strict safety standards and specifications—including the use of genuine VW parts—should they ever be involved in an accident.

Cleveland-based OEConnection currently serves more than 32,000 dealership and repair customers, which use the company’s products more than 6 million times each month. OEConnection facilitates roughly $17 billion in the annual replacement parts trade.